Puppy pepto?

Whew!  What a weekend...

I worked, a few more hours than usual.

I took Audrey to get yet another adorable bathing suit.  This last one is bright green, a tankini, with flowers and butterflies on it.  She is cute, though, and doesn't like it that her belly button shows, so she pulls the top down to cover up.  Sweet!

I baked a cake, and decorated it, for my little niece's birthday (the big "1") on Saturday night....I even got the lettering straight, and that was no small feat, considering I was tired (4 hours sleep Fri night and it was after 10 p.m. by the time I got finished.)  She loved it, too, and as soon as the candles were blown out, stuck her little chubby fist right into it.  Mmm, frosting.  I know she'll thank me later for the introduction. 

And here I am, staying up a little late again, because I think Max has a little tummy discomfort.   He had a huge accident in his crate earlier (not like him) and was whining a bit about 1/2 an hour ago, so I let him go outside...and he couldn't complete his attempt.  I have a bad feeling about that, so I'm staying close, just in case.   No one wants to wake up to any surprises, least of all, me.  I'll just mosey on into the Six, to stay up a bit longer---

Saturday Six - Episode 63

1. Yesterday, I linked to the journal "Mall Of America," a collection of photos from shopping malls of the 1960s and 1970s.  What store do you associate most with your childhood in terms of happy memories and why?  Is the store still around?

Okay, there are a couple.  As I've mentioned before, I grew up in a small town.  We had a local mercantile store that was the one of a few places to shop.  It was separated by departments, and they were like side by side storefronts...men's/boy's clothes; women's/girls clothes (with a shoe store in the back of these two sections); drugstore (candy, makeup, greeting cards, etc); grocery store; and furniture/toys (upstairs).  There were enormous display windows that changed with the merchandise they offered, and Iremember the excitement in the air when we got an automatic door installed in the grocery section.  I spent many an afternoon waiting for my Mom wandering around in the store...in the toy section when I was younger, and the drugstore/clothes section when I was a bit older.  It still exists today, but I haven't been in it in years.  The last time I went into it, I had that adult realization that this huge place was really not that big at all.  Sigh.

The other was a few doors down from the mercantile, and it was a "variety store" owned by a friend of my Tata's.  I would go in there and walk around browsing as my Tata visited with his friend.  It was a bit dark inside, and I didn't mind going there because it was cool, even without air conditioning.  The gentleman that owned the store sold toys, shoes, clothes, sporting goods...a variety of everything.  It no longer exists, at least not in the form I remember it.  But I loved going there, because I was out with my Tata, he'd get me one of those small candy sticks, and the owners were very nice people.  Even after my Tata died, I'd find myself wandering around in that store, comforted by my memories of all the times I'd gone there with him.  My feet found the way my heart needed to go, I guess.

2. What song makes you the most emotional and why?

Oh boy..let's see.."Ave Maria" is one, it's so hard to sing, it's so incredible when it's done well, and I think of the church I got married in when I hear it.  There are others that turn me into a lump-in-my-throat-eyes-watering puddle of goo, but I'm trying to stick to the question, which says "song."  Not "songs."  :p

3. Take the quiz:  What year were you born under, and what year should you have been born under?

You Were Actually Born Under: Year of the Monkey  Full of spunk, you are the original party animal.  You bring fun, activity, and stimulation to any event.  Self-control is not one of your strong points; you have been known to overindulge.  Cheerful and energetic, you can turn the most boring thing into something fun.  You are most compatible with a Rat or Dragon.

You Should Have Been Born Under: Year of the Dog.  You are totally loyal, faithful, and honest.
However, you don't trust others to be as ethical as you are!  Straight forward and direct, you really aren't one for small talk.  You are a great listener - and an agreeable companion when you're in a good mood!  You are most compatible with a Tiger or Horse.

4. What time do you typically wake up each day?  What is the latest you're normally able to sleep?  How many hours of sleep do you get in an average night?

During the school year, 6:30.  Gotta get 'em up and moving by 7, and that 1/2 hour is plenty of 'me' time to procrastinate starting the day.  Now, it varies depending on either when the dogs are swooshing around in their crates, wanting out; or when my princess graces me with her presence.  The latest I've slept lately?  9, and it was a fluke.  On an average night, 6 hours.  Oh, and I'd love a nap, anytime.

5. What frightens you the most about getting older?

Losing the people I love.  Yeah, death is inevitable, but that doesn't mean it's easy. 

6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #56 from Debi:  If you found the house of your dreams, right price, then discovered that a murder or suicide had taken place in the house, would you still consider buying the house?

No.  Not even after  an exorcism.  Not even if they threw in a gorgeous poolboy.  No way.